Just finished Dexter. Was it the children who brought out Dexter's empathy?

It's well established in the show that Dr. Vogel believes she's mistaken about Dexter having no empathy, or atleast she's intrigued by a psycho showing deep emotions.

I get it, he was alone he needed a connection and all that killing was "just to fill that void", etc. However, I was intrigued when she said that Debra was a mirror to Dexter's good side.

The romance angle was weird I reject that in my interpretation. Dexter always had a soft spot for children, and later on whatever he does most of the time it's to protect Debra or Harrison. I feel he views Debra as his kid sister, and that he's saving Debra the kid.

He cares about the women in his life, yes ofcourse. But they didn't really bring out his positive "human" side so much. He cared about them, especially Rita, Lumen and Hannah. But he did kill Lila.

So I have to ask this. Did him becoming a father or viewing himself as the "Father figure" to some people have most of the part in bringing out his good human side?>!​!<